No preparatory courses are required. However, to get a good score at the admission test of the Animal Care Degree it is useful to know the following subjects: units of measure, atomic structure, chemical bonds, nature of acids and base, pH, structure of hydrocarbons.

Target skills and knowledge:

Students should acquire theoretical and practical knowledge in the main topics of general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry. These skills will be useful in the subsequent courses and in the professional life after having achieved the Degree.

Examination methods:

Students with little knowledge of chemistry at the admission test are assigned the “OFA” in chemistry. These students are requested to pass a specific test during the semester before being admitted to the examination of Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry.
The course examination encompasses two written tests, both containing multiple choice and open questions. One test deals with general and organic chemistry, the other with biochemistry. The final grade is given by the average of the two tests plus a possible increase (1-2 points) dependent upon the laboratory activity.
Students can choose to take the two tests during the semester, one at a time, or at the official examination sessions. If one test is not sufficient, only that test must be repeated. A test with a sufficient score is valid for one year.

Assessment criteria:

Students are expected to gain basic knowledge in general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry and to critically discuss the topics presented in the lecture sessions.
Evaluation criteria include the degree of knowledge of the subjects studied, the capability to understand the structure/function relationships of molecules and macromolecules, the ability to explain the mechanisms underlying the basic metabolism of the cell.

Course unit contents:

Structure of matter, atoms and chemical bonds. Solid, liquid and gas state. Solutions, colligative properties, concentrations. Chemical reactions, basic thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. Main classes of inorganic compounds, acids and bases, pH. The voltaic cell.
Organic compounds: aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, amines, acids, esters, amides. Relationships between structure and properties of the molecules.
Basic understanding of the structural properties of most important biological molecules and macromolecules and relationships between structure and biological functions. Proteins, polysaccharides and lipids and their ability to perform useful functions in cells and organisms.
Structure-function relationship of biological membranes and enzymes. Enzyme kinetics. The most common metabolic pathways.
Principles that underlie the response of a cell to a given metabolic state, the controls that regulate metabolic transformations, and the diversity of metabolic processes occurring in different organs.
In the lab sessions students will work in groups of two. They will deal with four experiments involving: (i) acid-base titrations, (ii) redox reactions; (iii) starch enzymatic hydrolysis; (iv) milk protein analysis. The experiments aim at making the student familiar with some important topics (pH, oxidation-reduction, enzyme activity, proteins) and key laboratory tools (micropipette, magnetic stirrer, analytical balance, electronic pHmeter, vortex mixer, centrifuge, UV-Vis spectrophotometer).

Planned learning activities and teaching methods:

The course includes 72 hours of lectures and 16 hours devoted to exercises and lab sessions. Class lessons will exploit computer presentations (available to students) but the blackboard will also be frequently used. Laboratory sessions are based on participative interaction, with discussions and evaluation tests.

Additional notes about suggested reading:

Detailed learning materials will be available on Moodle (https://elearning.unipd.it/scuolaamv/)